These days, online video marketing is all the hype. If you haven’t already noticed, simply do a Google search and your first results are very likely to be a video. That doesn’t mean that people don’t want to read anymore but that they want the flexibility, and even the option, to watch and read at the same time. How complex you make your first video is up to you as long as you align it with powerful and meaningful text to cater for all audiences. Moreover, the best way to make videos online for your marketing purposes is with an online video editor. Check Pro Motion Hire here.
Making Great Footage to Download into your Online Video Editor
When you create videos, it’s always easier to start with the best quality you can. Clearly, you can still fix things thanks to all the features available on an online video editor. Nevertheless, it helps to get started with something that’s passable. You’ll therefore want to keep in mind the following key characteristics when doing video creation:
- Lighting and background
- Audio
- Rule of Thirds
It’s always best to make a video in daylight where possible because then you don’t have to worry about shadows. Of course, you can still enhance and tweak anything afterwards with the brightness, contrast and color settings on your video editor. In terms of background though, it’s easier to work with something simple that doesn’t obscure or detract from your main image.
When you make a video, make sure that it works for both with and without sound. You just don’t know what people are going to choose and most Facebook videos are now played on mute.
Last but not least, the rule of thirds is a very useful structure to make sure that your images in your video maker are appealing to the eye. By applying a mental 3 by 3 grid over each frame, you can easily position your subjects on the intersections. It’s a proven technique to create stunning and inspiring images.
Preparing your footage for Video Editing
Once you have your video clips then there are a few things to review before you dive in, as listed below:
- Just get started … after backing everything up
- Organize your video clips
- Choose your video editing software
- Cut from viewer perspective
- Plan transitions and effects
Just get Started … after Backing Everything Up
The first step is always to back everything up at least three times. Some people might content themselves with just twice. Nevertheless, a good rule of thumb is to back up 1 thing in 3 different formats across 2 locations. Once you feel your video clips are secure then you can just dive into your online video editor.
Trial and error isn’t for everyone but it’s often the best way to learn when working with a video editor. After all, you’ll immediately see the impact of any of the features which is so much easier than reading about them and trying to picture the effect.
Organize your Video Clips
It’s often a good idea to do a bit of planning before you get started and edit videos. Trial and error will help you see how all the features work. Regardless, you’ll find yourself doubling up on work if you don’t think ahead. It’s so easy to cut sections out by mistake or only realise in hindsight that you could have simply moved them.
Choose your Video Editing Software
Not all video editors are the same. Some have more features and others offer different file formats. It’s therefore helpful to check out the details before you subscribe or pick out your free video editor. Another point to note is that advanced video editors have NLE or non-linear editing capacity. This allows you to edit video clips without altering the original images. Unless you’re doing some very advanced editing though, your average online video editor should be more than good enough.
Cut from Viewer Perspective
We all get excited about our product and content. It’s often easy to forget that we should imagine being the customer and therefore what they want to see. So, be ruthless before you even start editing. Look at each of your video clips and think about whether you’re rambling or if the music is going for too long. Then, cut, cut and cut.
Plan Transitions and Effects
Now that you have your overall structure in mind and you know how everything is going to sequence, you might want to consider your effects and transitions. Sometimes thinking ahead can keep us focused. It’s actually very common for people to put too many transitions or effects, especially in their first video. Of course the tools are fun to use but don’t forget the overall goals.
Parting Thoughts for Preparing to use an Online Video Editor
Video editing is an intricate blend of planning and diving in. As you try things out, you’ll get used to where you should have planned a bit more ahead of time. Either way, make sure that you back everything up 2 or 3 times and remember to think from your audience’s point of view. Then, the cuts, transitions and any other effects will follow naturally as you apply your video editor and create your perfect video.